Your 30s: check-up checklist

Use this check-up checklist to stay on top of the tests and examinations you need all through your 30s.

• Blood pressure and cholesterol:You're not at too much risk of elevated levels now, especially if you're following healthy heart habits like exercising regularly, eating a nutritious diet, and not smoking. Anytime you go in for any health care visit, your blood pressure will be gauged, and you should get a cholesterol work-up every few years if you have certain risk factors such as diabetes, a higher than normal BMI, or if you currently smoke.
   
• Pap test and pelvic exam:You should be having routine Pap tests every 3 years. Nowadays, there is little evidence to support the use of pelvic exams in detecting cervical cancers. That said, you may have a pelvic exam done if you’re experiencing gynecological problems like abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge.
   
• Breast exam:Breast cancer is a very common cancer among women. The most accurate way to detect for breast cancer involves mammography, which is an X-ray examination of the breast. Some provinces or territories will recommend breast cancer screening with mammography every 2 years for women starting in their 40s, while others will suggest routine testing begin at the age of 50. Other types of examinations previously used for breast cancer screening like MRIs, clinical breast exams and self-examinations are no longer recommended.
   
• Skin check: Anyone at any age can develop skin cancer. In addition to minimizing your risk with healthy sun habits, your health care provider should do a thorough skin check to screen for new or changed moles or marks. You can also do a skin check yourself (or with a helpful partner). Remember the letters ABCDE when looking at skin growths:
• Asymmetry (not round)
• Border (irregular)
• Colour (uneven, changing, different from other moles)
• Diameter (larger than a pencil eraser)
• Evolving (changing in size, shape, or colour)

If anything seems out of the ordinary or alarming, contact your doctor.
 

• Dental check-ups: Visit your dentist for preventive check-ups and routine cleanings. The frequency of visits will really depend on individual needs, though most authorities on the subject recommend at least once or twice a year.
   
• Eye exams: Even if your vision is 20/20, you should have your eyes examined every 2 to 3 years. After all, optometrists check for other things besides how good your vision is - like signs of glaucoma. If you have a condition like diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of vision problems, your optometrist will let you know if you need more frequent eye exams and check-ups.
   
• Immunizations: You think shots are just for kids? Certain vaccinations you received as a child may need to be updated, while other immunizations are available that can protect you from needless health issues. Ask your doctor if you're due for any of these:
   
• Get shots to protect you from measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) if you've never had the vaccination before. Should you find yourself in certain risk situations, you'd also need the MMR vaccination. Those risky situations include working in health care, attending college, and travelling to certain countries.
   
• The tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine is recommended for anyone whose last Tdap shots were more than 10 years ago. Others who should get the Tdap include those who work in close contact with infants, those who plan on becoming pregnant, and those who have received a "dirty" wound (e.g., from a rusted nail).
   
• Each year, get the influenza vaccine. The flu shot is especially important if you have medical conditions that put you at risk of complications from the flu.
   
• Considering world travel? Consider being vaccinated against meningitis and hepatitis A and B, and consult with a travel clinician or your doctor in regards to other risks of particular destinations.
   
• If you never had chickenpox as a youngster, you should get vaccinated against it now. And if you're unsure whether you did, go ahead and get the vaccination, just in case. It's a good idea to get it, too, if you're hoping to get pregnant sometime in the future. Hold off, though, if you're already pregnant (or hope to be within several weeks of vaccination).

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Your-30s-A-Health-Guide-for-Women